LOVE Island’s Ronnie Vint has been accused of lying about his feelings for Harriett Blackmore by his show ex.

Last night’s Love Island All Stars saw Ronnie and Harriett reunited in the villa following their split last year.

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Eroteme

Eroteme

He left Elma Pazar – who he is currently coupled up with – fuming following a cosy chat with Harriett.

During the conversation he told her: “It’s always been you.”

But Ronnie has been blasted by Tiffany Leighton, who he had a brief romance in the villa with last summer.

He eventually ended up getting back together with Harriett following the fleeting flirtation.

But Tiffany took to Instagram to share the moment he and Harriett sat down last night.

Quoting him, Tiffany wrote: “‘It’s always been you’.” She added two long nose emojis to the post.

After Ronnie returned to Harriett during last summer’s series, Tiffany found herself being dumped from the villa alongside Omar Nyame.

They left the villa together but Harriett and Ronnie split just weeks later after he was accused of cheating.

Despite the break-up, Harriett later told The Sun she wasn’t ruling out getting back together with her ex in the future.

She said: “I love him so much but it just didn’t work as a relationship and that’s fine.

“We shared the most amazing experience together and I always have so much love and respect for him.

“I’m not saying no, but for now we’re taking a break from the relationship.”

DEAR DEIDRE: ALTHOUGH I don’t want to break up my family, I’ve fallen in love with a trans woman.

We’ve been having an affair for six months. I know I need to make a decision about whether to leave my wife for her, but I keep changing my mind. 

I’m 45 and my wife is 43. We have two primary aged children.

My lover is 32. 

Over the past few years I’ve been very dissatisfied with my marriage. The spark has gone, especially in the bedroom.

Last year, I started going on dating sites, at first just to look. I didn’t intend to have an affair, let alone fall in love with anyone. 

But after a while I started messaging a couple of women. One of them looked like a model – out of my league – and I thought she’d never be interested in me.

But she made me feel ‘seen’ and understood, in a way my wife doesn’t.

After we’d talked for a few weeks, she admitted she was trans. She thought that would scare me off, but it didn’t. 

I told her I’m open-minded and didn’t care. We then agreed to meet.

The first time, we didn’t even have sex, we just talked for hours.

Since then, we’ve enjoyed a full sexual relationship, and I see her whenever I can. 

I hate sneaking around and lying to my wife. I know my kids will be devastated and won’t understand. 

But I love this woman.

DEIDRE SAYS: You’re right: you need to make a decision either to end your affair, or leave your wife for her.

If you don’t, it’s only a matter of time before you get caught.

You’ve been with your wife for a long time, so it’s natural that your relationship with her isn’t as exciting or fulfilling as with your lover.

Rather than cheating, it would have been better to talk to her and work on your marriage.

Now you need to ask yourself if you really feel you have a future with your lover, and if she’s worth throwing away your marriage and kids for. 

Perhaps it’s a good idea to step back from the affair for a while, so you have some space to think.

Counselling could be helpful. 

Read my support pack, Torn between Two Women, for help making your decision.

EASTENDERS boss hits back at fan theory that ’lost’ storyline was axed as it ‘wasn’t good enough’

Daran Little, 58, is still to this day the only writer to have penned over 100 episodes for both Coronation Street and the hit BBC One serial drama.

Rex

BBC

A huge red bus crashed through Bridge Street eight years ago, leaving the market in ruins[/caption]

However, he defended his work when one fan posted a clip of an episode of EastEnders on social media that aired eight years ago.

It featured a dramatic stunt when a bus driver had a heart attack and the red transport vehicle crashed through the Bridge Street Market, leaving it in ruins.

However, the fan claimed the BBC decided not to air the proper aftermath of the incident, despite its obvious danger.

At the time, Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) was oblivious to Buster’s (Karl Howman) affair with Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth).

Instead, the social media user claimed the crash was brought in at the last minute to replace the story-line which was allegedly axed by bosses.

The post on X – formerly known as Twitter – read: “8 years ago today a bus came crashing through Walford.

“The original eps focused on Shirley discovering Buster&Kathy, but the BBC deemed them not good enough to air, so they were scrapped for a stunt.”

The user added: “No one died, and there was no follow-up since it was all last minute.”

However, the soap writer took to the platform as he hit out at the social media account in response.

Reposting the tweet, he claimed that he was the man behind the episodes and the storyline was never axed.

Instead, he revealed that it was never bosses intentions for Shirley to find out about the affair.

He fumed: “Wrong. I wrote these episodes and they didn’t replace Shirley finding out about Buster and Kathy.

“That discovery was never storylined. Nothing was deemed not good enough.”

BBC

Martin Fowler made a swift recovery despite the dangerous incident[/caption]

BBC

The soap fan claimed there was not a significant aftermath with the critical incident[/caption]

EastEnders continues on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.

DEAR DEIDRE: I CAN’T stop fantasising about an intense kiss with an old colleague, two decades ago. 

My marriage is so boring and sexless that escaping into fantasy-land helps me get through the day. How can I get back to reality?

I’m 45 and have been married to my husband, 47, for 18 years. We have a grown-up son.

My marriage is dead. It feels like we’re just flatmates.

We barely talk, and we haven’t had sex for so long that I can’t even remember the last time. I’m so frustrated.

Before I met him, I had a long flirtation with a guy at work. At the office summer party, we shared a kiss. 

It was the most passionate, exciting kiss I’ve ever had.

Nothing came of it and we both moved on from that workplace. 

But now, I think about it every day. I imagine what might have happened had we slept together and started a relationship, 

I’ve even tracked him down on social media and have been hanging around his area, hoping I might bump into him.

I know I’m being ridiculous but it’s the only thing that’s keeping my spirits up.

DEIDRE SAYS: You’re fantasising about a time when you felt alive and desirable.

It’s natural, given how stale your marriage is. 

But as you know, nothing can come of this. You need to plough your energies into fixing your marriage instead. 

Try to remember why you fell in love with your husband. 

Tell him how you feel. Say how much you miss intimacy.

Perhaps you could suggest going out on a date, or even a weekend away, to shake things up.

My support packs, Looking After Your Relationship and Saving Your Sex Life, should help.

THE future of an iconic homeware chain has been thrown into doubt following the fallout of Rachel Reeves’ Budget tax raid.

The retailer, which has 59 shops across all corners of the UK, is scouting out potential buyers.

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Lakeland is looking for potential buyers[/caption]

Lakeland, which sells cooking and cleaning products as well as other home appliances, employs around 1,000 people.

The family-run business was launched 61 years ago and is now spearheaded by the three sons of founder Alan Rayner.

Now, the brothers have selected advisory company Teneo to help them navigate a potential sale, city sources told Sky.

Lakeland’s main lender, HSBC, is reportedly being advised by accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The company is headquartered in Windermere, Cumbria but has stores across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It follows Reeves’ first Budget in October, which was dubbed “the most damaging for independent retailers in recent memory” by the British Independent Retailers Association.

The Chancellor controversially announced tax rises amounting £40billion – including raising the rate of employer National Insurance contributions.

This, alongside increasing minimum wage, has hiked costs for retailers and led some to raise their prices to absorb the increase.

Figures this month showed bosses had wasted no time in pulling permanent recruitment adverts, with December seeing the steepest drop in job vacancies in well over four years.

A closely watched report by KPMG and REC, compiled by S&P Global, shows the job market is already shrinking, with companies explicitly blaming the rise in employer national insurance contributions.

Some have been making redundancies in December, according to its survey of 400 recruiters.

As well as homeware businesses, supermarkets have also been hit – with fruit and veg prices at risk of soaring.

Two supermarkets, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, have even been forced to issue statements acknowledging the predicted hike.

Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts told The Grocer that the chain would need to work with its suppliers to minimise the impact on customers.

He said: “Suppliers have got costs coming at them as well, of course, given all of the changes in National Insurance coming.

“We’ll be working really closely to make sure that between us, we find the best answers we can and we continue to give customers the best value that we possibly can.”

It is not the first supermarket to acknowledge the difficult times ahead – with Tesco boss Ken Murphy also promising to protect customers against the looming economic challenges, a sentiment also echoed by M&S CEO Stuart Machin.

Meanwhile, Primark has blasted the Government for stifling business growth following the Budget.

The fashion retailer has suffered a six per cent slump in like-for-like UK and Ireland sales — its first drop since shops shut during the pandemic.

Eoin Tonge, finance chief of owner Associated British Food, told The Sun: “There is a weakness in consumer confidence that we don’t see in other markets.”

Communities all over the UK have seen highstreet businesses close, with WH Smith this week confirming its eighteenth planned store closure.

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Lakeland sells cooking, baking and cleaning products[/caption]

LOVE Island star Elma Pazar promised to make a secret sign to communicate with her Towie co-stars while in the All Stars villa.

The 31-year-old’s friends have all returned to work filming on the new series while Elma is in South Africa.

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Elma, 31, is looking for real love on the ITV2 show[/caption]

Instagram

Harry Derbidge and the rest of the Towie stars are all supporting Elma from Essex[/caption]

Having had her phone taken away in lockdown before the series launch, Elma has been out of contact for almost a month.

Her close pal Harry Derbidge told The Sun: “We did say to her before she left for South Africa, if she could just do like a little peace sign now and then.

“I’ve been looking out for her doing it but it just depends if it makes the edit.

“It would be nice to see she’s thinking of us.”

Elma is being supported by Harry and all her Towie co-stars back home where they’ve begun filming the new series.

She first appeared on Love Island‘s fifth series in 2019 – saying herself she’s best known for walking in with Maura Higgins.

However she lasted just six days in the villa.

Elma went on to become a leading cast member in The Only Way Is Essex on ITVBe – and had a brief on/off romance with Diags.

Harry – who is warning Elma against her love interest Ronnie Vint – told us: “When Elma was first on Love Island she didn’t get to be in there that long, so it’s really nice that people are seeing her for who is and the public are really warming to her.

“She’s just so funny with her one-liners. She’s the exact same in real life, she’s totally being herself.”

Harry added: “Elma’s one of my really, really close friends and someone who I speak to near enough every single day, so not being able to speak to her now for nearly two weeks has been so hard.

“I’m watching every night just so I can hear her voice because I miss her so much. I just want to give her a big cuddle.

“But as much as I’m selfishly missing her, I want her to be in there until the end. We’re all rooting for her.

“She’s getting so much love and positivity. I’m so, so proud of her.”

ORIGIN, founded in 2018, is a mattress brand spanning eight countries, with a stated mission to “improve sleep worldwide by cutting out the gimmicks”.

It’s a bold objective, so I’ve tested out its flagship product in my Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress review.

Origin has a clear quality-over-quantity ethos.

Instead of offering what can sometimes be an overwhelming amount of choice, it currently has only two mattresses, one pillow, a topper and a bed available on its website.

Its multi-award winning, best selling and “new and improved” Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress aims to give consumers all the luxury and comfort of premium competitors but at a fraction of the price.

With eight comfort layers, enhanced pressure relief and a bamboo-infused wool, Origin isn’t shy when shouting about the Hybro Pro’s illustrious status as “the UK’s most award-winning luxury mattress”.

Origin is particularly proud of the value of its premium mattress.

Its website offers a handy comparison table, claiming that the newest version of the Hybrid Pro not only matches but beats its closest competitors across the board at almost half the price.

Origin Mattress

On its website, Origin compares the Hybrid Pro to the Simba Hybrid Pro and now-discontinued Emma Elite[/caption]

Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress, from £529

Pros

• Medium-firm mattress with a spongy top layer
• Cooling effect really works on warmer nights
• Arrives rolled up so easy to transport/get through doors
• 200 night trial
• 15 year warranty
• Good value for money

Cons

• Very tall! You might want to invest in deep sheets, especially if using a topper.
• Might not be firm enough for some
• The lack of options could be an issue for those with specialist requirements

Rating: 4.5/5

Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress review: how I tested

I’ll be honest, before testing the Origin Hybrid Pro, my mattress game was weak at best.

Until recently I had been quite happy sleeping on whatever mattress came with the flat I was renting — as long as I had my trusty topper to hand.

At the time of writing this review, I’ve been resting my weary bones on the Hybrid Pro for a month, and I can confirm I will never be going back to the economy mattress lifestyle.

With the help of my Garmin 7s smartwatch, I’ve been able to accurately track my sleep score and the difference in the length, consistency and quality of my sleep has been startling.

Quick summary

Origin Mattress

I was impressed by the Hybrid Pro’s quality, comfort and value for money[/caption]

Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress, from £529

The Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress has impressed me with its quality, comfort, and fantastic value for money.

Origin’s philosophy of “quality over quantity” really comes through, and while its selection is small, it’s clearly well thought out.

The Hybrid Pro, with its medium-firm feel and soft, breathable pillow top, combines over 5,700 springs with cooling latex layers, creating a mattress that keeps me comfortable and well-supported through the night.

After a month of testing, I’ve noticed a big improvement in my sleep quality. My average sleep score has jumped from 60.5 to 74 out of 100.

After a month of testing, I’ve noticed a big improvement in my sleep quality. My average sleep score has jumped from 60.5 to 74 out of 100.

The delivery was quick and easy with the Hybrid Pro conveniently compressed in a box, making setup a breeze – no heavy lifting required!

Though its height might call for deep-fitted sheets, I found that its orthopedic-level support meant I didn’t miss my old mattress topper at all; this mattress feels both cushioned and substantial.

Price-wise, Origin’s Hybrid Pro beats competitors like the Simba Hybrid Pro by a large margin.

With discounts, the double size is currently £689 — incredible value for a high-quality mattress.

Overall, the Origin Hybrid Pro offers a premium sleep experience without the premium price tag, and I can confidently say it’s elevated my sleep game.

Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress review: full review

First impressions

James Hunt

I was prepared to struggle to get the mattress to my bedroom, but it came neatly packaged[/caption]

Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress, from £529

The last time I bought my own mattress was almost a decade ago during my second year of uni.

All I can really remember is it was an absolute nightmare trying to fit through the corridor and up the stairs, even with the help of three housemates.

Eight years later, expecting the same ordeal, I was prepared with screwdriver in hand, ready to remove door hinges and handles where necessary.

Imagine my surprise when I opened the door and instead of receiving the 135x190cm behemoth I was expecting, I was presented with a neat rectangular box, easily carried by a solo delivery driver.

After removing the cardboard, a very flat rolled up mattress revealed itself. (I’ll admit I was slightly worried at this point).

Following the instructions, I unrolled the mattress onto my bed frame, pierced the plastic wrapping and watched in wonder as the Origin Hybrid Pro expanded before my eyes into a full-sized double mattress.

Origin says the Hybrid Pro will take anywhere from 48 to 72 hours to fully expand, but it’s ready to sleep on after just a few minutes.

This is far quicker than the Simba Hybrid mattress which recommends customers wait at least 3 hours before tucking themselves in for bed.

Performance

The Origin Hybrid Pro is certainly one of the tallest mattresses I’ve ever come across.

It’s so thick, in fact, I wasn’t able to fit my standard double sheets on when using a mattress topper.

This could easily be fixed by buying some deep-fitted sheets, but for the purposes of this review I opted to forget the topper and use the Hybrid Pro alone.

Thankfully, I didn’t find myself missing my trusty topper at all as the Origin Hybrid Pro is more than comfortable enough by itself.

Origin describes the mattress as “medium firm” which suits me perfectly as I prefer something with a bit of support.

If you’re someone who likes to sink into their bed and needs something a bit softer, then fear-not.

The Hybrid Pro includes a plush pillow top which is made with “AirFill”, an ultra-breathable fabric that moulds to the shape of your body while keeping you cool using natural latex.

My first night’s sleep was as comfortable as any I’ve had. The mattress didn’t need any breaking in at all and I found myself falling asleep easily.

James Hunt

The mattress expands to a whopping 31cm thickness[/caption]

Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress, from £529

There was no bad back or stiff joints in the morning either; the 5,700+ TitaniumCoil springs did their job at giving me all the support of an orthopaedic mattress without making me feel like I was sleeping on a plank of wood.

I’m more than happy to announce that the easy, high-quality sleep only continued over the weeks since first unboxing the Hybrid Pro.

My average sleep score in the four weeks before this test was a measly 60.5 (out of 100) and four weeks later my average has shot up to 74!

How much is the Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress?

The Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress comes in five sizes, and each currently comes with huge discounts.

• Single (90x190cm) – £961 £529
• Small Double (120x190cm) – £1,143 £629
• Double (135x190cm) – £1,252 £689
• King (150x200cm) – £1,434 £789
• Super King (180x200cm) – £1,525 £839

Origin’s Hybrid Pro is considerably cheaper than their competitors’ premium mattress options; the Emma Elite (double) costs twice as much at £1,389, and Simba’s Hybrid Pro is £460 more than Origin at £1,149.

Where to buy the Origin Hybrid Pro mattress

The Origin Hybrid Pro is currently available exclusively from Origin’s own website.

The website offers free next-day delivery to mainland UK, as well as a 200-night trial period.

Alternatives

It probably won’t come as a surprise that there’s a lot of choice when it comes to luxury hybrid mattresses.

We’ve compared a few below.

Feature	Origin Hybrid Pro	Simba Hybrid Pro	Eve Premium Hybrid	Brook and Wilde Elite
Firmness	Medium-firm	Medium-firm	Medium-firm	Medium-Firm
Number of springs	up to 5,700 titanium coils	up to 3,800 Aerocoil micro springs	1,400 full-size pocket springs	1,000 full-sized pocket springs + 2000 mini-pocket springs
Foam layers	HexaGrid Plus memory foam layer, cooling open-cell foam layer and D-3 foam edge layer	Simbatex foam layer, CertiPUR foam layer, CertiPUR foam base	Floatfoam layer with active cooling, memory foam layer, firmer foam support layer	Open-cell comfort layer, three “S-Wave” layers
Height (thickness)	31 cm	28 cm	28 cm	28 cm
Cooling technology	Natural latex, cooling memory foam and cooling gel layer	Statos cool-touch cover, Simbatex foam layer	Floatfoam layer with active cooling + memory foam layer infused with graphite	Breathable foam
Trial period	200 nights	200 nights	200 nights	200 nights
Warranty	15 years	10 years	10 years	10 years
Price for double (at time of writing)	£689	£1,149	£549	£720 with code HERITAGE

Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress, from £529

As you’ll see, the Origin mattress wins in several departments, including number of springs, thickness and warranty.

It’s also the second cheapest, pipped to the post only by a 42% discount on the Eve Premium Hybrid.

Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress review: the verdict

Origin Mattress

Origin has managed to carve out a name for itself in the crowded mattress market[/caption]

Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress, from £529

In what has become a crowded market of premium mattresses, the Origin Hybrid Pro really does stand out.

Its high-quality and supportive structure, combined with a spongy top layer, delivers exceptional comfort, making it a superb choice for those seeking a bedtime upgrade without the hefty price tag of its competitors.

The cooling effect works wonders on warmer nights, and the easy unboxing and setup process makes for a hassle-free experience. 

After three weeks of testing, my sleep quality has notably improved, with my average sleep score jumping from 60.5 to 74.

The mattress’s orthopedic-level support and plush pillow top ensure a restful night without the need for a topper.

Price-wise, the Hybrid Pro outdoes notable competitors like the Simba Hybrid Pro, offering fantastic value for money.

I highly recommend the Origin Hybrid Pro Mattress to anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable mattress that doesn’t compromise on comfort or support.

However, if you prefer a very firm/very soft mattress or have specialist requirements, Origin might not be the right brand for you as it does have a limited range of models.

Overall, the Origin Hybrid Pro provides a premium sleep experience at a very reasonable cost, making it a worthy investment for a better night’s sleep.

DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN I discovered I was pregnant with my fifth child, my husband gave me an ultimatum: either have a termination, or he’d leave me.

I was so confused and upset. I loved him and didn’t want to lose him, but also wanted to keep the baby. 

I’m 36 and he’s 38.

You told me that I shouldn’t let anyone pressure me into having an abortion.

If I did, I’d end up resenting my husband and it would haunt me forever, and destroy our marriage. 

You sent me your Unplanned Pregnancy support pack and recommended that we have couples counselling together, so we could discuss this openly and honestly, with a professional’s support.

I’m so pleased to be able to tell you that my husband and I have been talking a lot, and he is now much more supportive and happy about the baby coming.

He admits he overreacted because he was shocked and scared, and worried about money, but we’ve worked out ways to manage.

Thank you Deidre for your kindness and advice.

DEIDRE SAYS: I’m so pleased you’ve been able to work this out together. So often, resolving problems is about better communication.

I wish you a stress-free pregnancy.

A new racquet and a new mindset have propelled American Madison Keys into a maiden Australian Open final at the age of 29.

Australia’s astonishing success as a prosperous, safe and inclusive society demands to be celebrated.